Slack limiting fiber management system for an optic fiber distribution hub

ABSTRACT

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, an incremental slack limiting fiber management system for reducing slack in at least one optic fiber extending between an optic splitter module and a distribution module within a fiber optic distribution hub is provided. The incremental slack limiting fiber management system includes a plurality of slack limiting spools mounted to an internal panel of the distribution hub between the splitter and the distribution module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/848,901, filed on Oct. 2, 2006. The disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to modular optic fiberdistribution hubs to be used in outside environments.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Fiber optic data transmission has become the state of the art method oftransmitting data short and long distances. For example, optical datatransmission systems are commonly implemented to communicate data andinformation throughout an office building, and also to transmit data andinformation between various locations separated by long distances. Overthe past few years, the telecommunication industry, for example, hasimplemented massive communications networks by installing millions ofmiles of fiber optic communication lines throughout the world.

Various facilities, e.g., commercial, industrial and/or residentialbuildings, within such massive communication networks are ofteninterconnected with each other or to a central office using fiberdistribution hubs. The distribution hubs are located in various outdoorlocations between the interconnected facilities. Generally, thedistribution hubs receive data, i.e., information, data and/orcommunication signals, from one or more facilities via fiber opticinputs then divide and distribute the data to one or more otherfacilities fiber optically connected the hub. More particularly, thetypical fiber optic distribution hub includes one or more opticalsplitters that receive data signals via one or more fiber optic inputlines. The splitters divide each input data signal into a plurality ofsignals sent to a plurality of output ports of the respective splitter.Fiber optic jumpers are connected between the splitter ports and a fiberdistribution module within the distribution hub. The fiber distributionmodule distributes the split signals to various designated facilities,e.g., customers, by interconnecting the hub, i.e., the various fiberoptic jumpers, with the various designated facilities, via output fiberoptic lines connected between the facilities and the distributionmodule.

Thus, for example, for a telecommunication company to provide service toa facility, e.g., a customer's residence, there must be a fiber opticline connected between the facility and the distribution module of thedistribution hub. To enable the service, a technician then must open acabinet of the distribution hub and physically connect a fiber opticjumper between an available splitter port and the distribution module.Typically, the jumper is connected to a jumper side of a serviceconnection adapter retained within a service connection tray of thedistribution module. The other side of the service connection adapter isconnected to the fiber optic line from the facility. The interconnectionbetween the jumpers and the facility optic lines, via the adapters, areoften referred to as connection circuits.

If a large number of facilities are connected to a single fiber opticdistribution hub, the hub can become very populated with fiber jumpersextending between the splitter and the distribution module. Moreover,the distribution module can become very congested and densely packedwith the fibers of the connection circuits. Accordingly, a techniciancan have a difficult time connecting new jumpers and disconnecting andservicing existing circuits within the distribution module withoutdisturbing the fibers of surrounding circuits.

Additionally, as more and more facilities are interconnected via adistribution hub, it often becomes necessary to add additional splittersto provide connectivity for the increasing number of facilities.However, typically optic fiber hubs are fabricated to utilize a singletype and manufacture of splitter. Therefore, when additional splittersare needed to increase the service capacity of a hub, only a particulartype and manufacture splitter can be installed. This restriction can becumbersome if the needed splitter type is not readily available and canbe cost inefficient.

Furthermore, as the service capacity of a fiber optic hub increases, thenumber of fiber optic jumpers between the splitters and the distributionmodule also increases. For example, if a hub distribution module has onehundred forty-four service connection adapters, at full capacity the hubwould have the fibers of one hundred forty-four jumpers extendingbetween the splitters and the distribution module. The jumpers aretypically fabricated to have a common length so that each jumper hassufficient length to extend between any splitter and any serviceconnection adapter within the distribution hub. Accordingly, there iscommonly slack in the jumper fibers that is left to randomly danglewithin the distribution hub. Such slack can be unwieldy and burdensomefor a technician to work with when connecting new jumpers, disconnectingand servicing existing circuits.

SUMMARY

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, anincremental slack limiting fiber management system for reducing slack inat least one optic fiber extending between an optic splitter module anda distribution module within a fiber optic distribution hub is provided.The incremental slack limiting fiber management system includes aplurality of slack limiting spools mounted to an internal panel of thedistribution hub between the splitter and the distribution module.

In accordance with other various embodiments of the present disclosure,a method for limiting slack in at least one optic fiber extendingbetween an optic splitter module and a distribution module within afiber optic distribution hub is provided. The method includesnon-linearly routing the at least one fiber around at least one of aplurality of slack limiting spools mounted to an internal panel of thedistribution hub.

In accordance with yet other various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a method for limiting slack in at least one optic fiberextending between an optic splitter module and a distribution modulewithin a fiber optic distribution hub is provided. The method includesnon-linearly routing the at least one fiber around at least one of aplurality of splitter module rack slack limiting spools mounted to theinternal panel in a substantially vertical arrangement along opposingsides of a splitter module rack. The method additionally includesnon-linearly routing the at least one fiber around at least one of aplurality of intermediate slack limiting spools mounted to the internalpanel in a substantially vertical arrangement at a center portion of theinternal panel. The method further includes non-linearly routing the atleast one fiber around at least one of a plurality of side slacklimiting spools mounted to the internal panel in a substantiallyvertical arrangement along a distribution module side portion of theinternal panel.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an optic fiber distribution hub, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a splitter-side side view of the optic fiber distribution hubshown in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a distribution-side side view of the optic fiber distributionhub shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an isometric detail view of a portion of the optic fiberdistribution hub shown in FIG. 1 including a splitter rack, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an isometric exploded view of a universal splitter moduleholder included in the optic fiber distribution hub, shown in FIG. 1, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the universal splitter module holder,shown in FIG. 5, having a fiber optic splitter retained therein, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a distribution module included in theoptic fiber distribution hub shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an isometric detail view of a position latching mechanism fora service connection circuit tray included in the distribution moduleshown FIG. 7, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is an isometric detail view of a distribution jumper incrementalslack limiting fiber management system included in the distribution hubshown FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. Itshould be understood that throughout the drawings, correspondingreference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

Referring to FIG. 1, an optic fiber distribution hub 10 is illustrated,in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Forsimplicity and clarity the optic fiber distribution hub 10, will bereferred to herein simply as the hub 10. The hub 10 includes a cabinet14 that houses various signal splitting, signal distribution, fiberrouting and fiber storage components, systems and assemblies, as will bedescribed below, that provide data transmission connectivity between aplurality of facilities, e.g., commercial, industrial and/or residentialbuildings, and one or more central sources of the data transmissions.The cabinet 10 can include one or more access panels, for example doors18 and 22, that provide access to the components, systems and assembliesthat are mounted to or supported by one or more internal panels, forexample internal panels 26 and 30.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 2 and 3, the components, system andassemblies of hub 10 will now be described in detail. The hub 10includes a splitter rack 34 (best illustrated in FIG. 4) mounted to andsupported by the internal panel 26. In various embodiments, the hub 10can additionally include a jumper parking bay 38 mounted to andsupported by the internal panel 26. In various other embodiments, thehub 10 can further include a distribution jumper incremental slacklimiting fiber management system 42 also mounted to the internal panel26. For clarity and simplicity, hereafter, the internal panel 26 will bereferred to as the splitter-side panel 26 and the distribution jumperincremental slack limiting fiber management system 42 will be referredto simply as the slack limiting system 42. Additionally, the hub 10includes at least one distribution module 46 mounted to and supported bythe internal panel 30, hereafter referred to as the distribution-sideinternal panel 30.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the splitter rack 34 is generally a modularhousing for securing one or more fiber optic splitter modules 50 withinthe hub 10. The splitter rack 34 is mounted to the splitter-sideinternal panel 26 such that the splitter rack 34 extends inward from thesplitter-side internal panel 26, away from the door 18, hereafterreferred to as the splitter-side door 18.

Each splitter module 50 includes an optic fiber feeder pigtail, orjumper, 54 that includes a connection terminal 58 for connecting thefeeder pigtail 54 to one of a plurality of hub input ports 62. The hubinput ports 62 are connected to the one or more central sources of thedata transmissions that are to be divided, i.e., split, and distributedto the various facilities designated to receive the data transmissions.Each feeder pigtail 54 is routed, or threaded, through the slacklimiting system 42, as described below, to eliminate slack in the feederpigtails 54 that can be cumbersome to a technician servicing the hub 10.

Each splitter additionally includes a plurality of optic fiber outputpigtails, or jumpers 66. Each output jumper 66 includes a connectionterminal 70 for connecting the respective jumper 66 to either thedistribution module 46, as described below, or to one of a plurality ofparking ports 74 of the parking bay 38. For simplicity and clarity, onlya single output jumper 66 is shown including the connection terminal 70,while only proximal end portions of the remaining jumpers 66 are shown.The feeder pigtail connection terminal(s) 58 and the output jumperconnection terminals 70 can be the same type/style connectors ordifferent type/style connectors. However, all the output jumperterminals 70 are the same type/style connector.

The parking ports 74 are a plurality of null, or benign, ports mountedwithin the parking bay 38. In various embodiments, the parking bay 38includes one or more parking port banks 78 that each includes aplurality of parking ports 74. The parking ports 74 are utilized forconnecting unused output jumpers 66, i.e., reserve jumpers 66, that arenot yet connected to the distribution module 46 to provide datatransmission connectivity to a designated facility. The reserve jumpers66 are routed, or threaded, through the slack limiting system 42, asdescribed below, to eliminate slack in the reserve jumpers 66 that canbe cumbersome to a technician servicing the hub 10. The active outputjumpers 66 connected to the distribution module 46 are also routed, orthreaded, through the slack limiting system 42, as described below, toeliminate slack in the active jumpers 66.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6, as described above, the splitterrack 34 is generally a modular housing for securing one or more opticsplitters modules 50 within the hub 10. More specifically, in accordancewith various embodiments, the splitter rack 34 is adapted to secure andretain one or more universal splitter module holders (USMHs) 82. Forsimplicity and clarity, the one or more universal splitter moduleholders 82 will be described herein in terms of a single universalsplitter module holder 82. The USMH 82 is structured to retain generallyany make or model of splitter module 50. That is, the USMH 82 isstructured to be able to retain any splitter module 50 regardless of thetype, style, model, shape, size and manufacturer of the splitter module50. Therefore, a plurality of different types styles, models, shapes,sizes and manufacturers of splitter modules 50 can be simultaneouslyimplemented and utilized within the hub 10 without needing anymodifications to the hub 10.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 5 and 6, in accordance with variousembodiments, the USMH 82 includes a base 86 and a hood 90 that isremovably connectable to the base 86 to clamp and retain the splittermodule 50 therebetween. The splitter module 50 is set on the base 86 andthe hood 90 is then placed across the top of the splitter module 50. Thehood 90 is then removably connected to the base 86 to clamp and retainthe splitter module 50 within the USMH 82. The hood 90 can be connectedto the base 86 in any fashion suitable for allowing the hood 90 to bedisconnected, e.g., removed, expanded or opened and then reconnected,e.g., replaced, retracted or closed, once the splitter module 50 hasbeen placed on, or removed from, the base 86.

For example, in various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the hood90 comprises a first end 94 that is hingedly or pivotally coupled to afirst wall 98 of the base 86, and a second end 102 removably connectablewith a second wall 106 of the base 86. The first end 94 can be hingedlyor pivotally connected to the base first wall 106 using any suitablehinge or pivot joint or device 110, such as a piano hinge, butt hinge,barrel hinge, or slot and tongue pivot joint. The second end 102 can beremovably connectable with the second wall 106 using any suitableconnecting, latching or fastening device or system 114 that can beengaged to securely connect the hood second end 102 with base secondwall 106 and disengaged to allow the hood to be lifted. For example, thesecond end 102 can be removably connectable with the second wall 106using a snap fastener, a screw fastener, a nut and bolt connectingsystem or a latch device.

In various other embodiments, the hood 90 can be separable from the base86 such that both the first and second hood ends 94 and 102 areremovably connectable with the respective base first and second walls 98and 106. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the hood first end 94can include a winged tab 118 interlockingly engageble with a slot 122 inthe first wall 98 of the base 86. Similarly, the hood second end 102 caninclude a winged tab 126 interlockingly engageble with a slot 130 in thebase second wall 106. In various other embodiments, the hood first andsecond ends 94 and 102 can be removably connectable with the respectivebase first and second walls 98 and 106 using any suitable connecting,latching or fastening device or system that can be engaged to securelyconnect the hood first and second ends 94 and 102 with base first andsecond walls 98 and 106 and disengaged to allow the hood to be removed.For example, the hood first and second ends 94 and 102 can be removablyconnectable with the base first and second walls 98 and 106 using snapfasteners, screw fasteners, nut and bolt connecting systems or latchdevices.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the splitter rack 34 includes a firstside wall 134 and an opposing second side wall 138 that each include aplurality of USMH guides 142 that align, support and separate the USMHsretained within the splitter rack 34. In various embodiments, the guides142 comprise spaced apart slots that extend depth-wise, i.e., from thefront of the splitter rack 34 to the back of the splitter rack 34, alongthe first and second walls 134 and 138. The USMH 82 includes fins 146that are cooperative with and slidingly engageable with the guides 142.That is, the fins 146 can be inserted into and slid within the guides142 to align, support and separate the USMHs 82 retained within thesplitter rack 34. In various implementations, the fins 146 are formedwith or attached to the base first and second walls 98 and 106. Invarious alternative embodiments, the guides 142 can comprise any othersuitable means for slidingly engaging the USMHs 82 to align, support andseparate the USMHs 82 within the splitter rack 34, such as L-bracketsattached to and extending depth-wise along the splitter rack first andsecond walls 134 and 138. Accordingly, the fins 146 set on top of andslidingly engage the L-brackets. Or, the guides 142 can be channelsformed in and extending depth-wise along the first and second walls 134and 138, wherein the fins 146 would ride within and slidingly engage thechannels. Additionally, although the fins 146 are illustrated aslongitudinally extending the length of the USMH 82, the fins 146 cancomprise separate fore and aft fins along each side of the USMH 82 orfore and aft pins or posts extending orthogonally from each side of theUSMH 82.

The USMH 82 additionally includes at least one latching mechanism 150for removably retaining the USMH 82 engaged with the distribution hub10, i.e., engaged with the splitter-side internal panel 26. Thus, oncethe USMH 82 is inserted into splitter rack 34 the USMH 82 is secured tothe splitter-side internal panel 26, via the latching mechanism 150. Invarious embodiments, the latching mechanism 150 can be a screw extendingthrough at least one stop tab 154 of the base 86. The stop tabs 154contact the splitter-side internal panel 26 when the respective USMH 82is fully inserted into the splitter cage 34 and the screw is insertablethrough an aperture in the stop tab 154 and threadable intosplitter-side internal panel 26. Alternatively, the latching mechanism150 can be any device or mechanism suitable for securing the USMH 82within the splitter rack 34, such as magnets, push pins, snaps or camlatches.

In various implementations, the USMH additionally includes acompressible pad, or gasket, 158 affixed to a bottom of the hood 90. Thecompressible pad 158 engages and substantially compresses around a topsurface of the splitter module 50 when the hood 90 is put in place andfastened to the base 86. Accordingly, the compressible pad 158 appliespressure to the splitter module top surface to securely retain thesplitter module 50 within the USMH 82. Additionally, the compressiblepad 158 accommodates for different ranges of thickness of the varioussplitter module 50 that can be retained by the USMH 82. The compressiblepad 158 can be fabricated of any suitably compressible and resilientmaterial such foam rubber or any other synthetic sheet foam material.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, as described above, the distributionmodule 46 is mounted to and supported by the distribution-side internalpanel 30. Particularly, in various embodiments, a first side wall 162 ofthe distribution module 46 is mounted to and supported by a corner post166, and a second side wall 170 of the distribution module 46 is mountedto and supported by a side strut 174. The corner post 166 includes asplitter-side leg that forms a portion of the splitter-side internalpanel 26 and a distribution-side leg that forms a portion of thedistribution-side internal panel 30. The side strut 174 is connected toa side wall 178 of the distribution hub cabinet 14.

In accordance with various embodiments, the distribution module 46includes a plurality of service connection circuit trays 182 that eachinclude a plurality of connection adapters 186. The connection adapters186 are structured to receive and interlock with the output jumperconnection terminals 70 at an outward end of the adapters 186. An inwardend of the adapters 186 is connectable to an output feed line (notshown) that connects to the various facilities that are designated toreceive the data transmissions. More particularly, each adapter 186 isconfigured to be connectable at the inward end to a single output feedto a single designated facility, and connectable at the outward end to asingle output jumper 66. Each adapter connected at the inward end to anoutput feed line and at the outward end to an output jumper 66 will bereferred to herein as an optic fiber circuit of the distribution module46. Thus, to create an optic fiber circuit to provide connectivity andenable data transmission to a designated facility, a technician accessesthe circuit tray 182 of the distribution module 43 containing theconnection adapter 186 connected to the output feed line of thedesignated facility. The technician then interconnects an output jumper66, i.e., a connection terminal 70, with the respective connectionadapter 186.

In various embodiments, the circuit trays 182 are structured toslidingly transition from a stowed, or parked, position (lower tray 182of FIGS. 7 and 8) to a deployed, or extended, position (upper tray 182of FIGS. 7 and 8). Thus, a technician can move any desired circuit tray182 from the stowed position to the deployed position to allowindependent access to any one of the optic fiber circuits retainedwithin the respective circuit tray 182. Accordingly, the technician canaccess and work on any single circuit, or numerous circuits, withoutdisturbing the adjacent or surrounding circuits and fibers.

Referring particularly now to FIGS. 7 and 8, each circuit tray 182includes a pair of opposing side rails 188 having a slack spool 190 andfront rail 194 connected between the side rails 188, best illustrated inFIG. 7. The front rail 194 includes a plurality of apertures throughwhich the connection adapters 186 of the respective circuit tray 182 areinserted and removably interlocked therewith. Particularly, theconnection adapters 186 can be removed from the respective circuit tray182 when the respective circuit tray 182 is in the deployed position, asdescribed below. The slack spool 190 is utilized to organize and retainslack, i.e., additional, unutilized length, in the output feed linesconnected to the connection adapters 186 of the respective circuit tray.Particularly, excess length of the output feed lines can be spooled, orwrapped, around the respective slack spool 190 to eliminate slack, andretain and organize the excess lengths of the output feed lines.

The distribution module first and second side walls 162 and 170 eachinclude a plurality of circuit tray guides 198 that align, support andseparate the circuit trays 182 retained within the distribution module46. In various embodiments, the circuit tray guides 198 comprise spacedapart slots that extend depth-wise, i.e., from the front of thedistribution module 46 to the back of the distribution module 46, alongthe first and second walls 162 and 170. The circuit tray side rails 188each include fins 202 that are cooperative with and slidingly engageablewith the circuit tray guides 198. That is, the fins 202 can be insertedinto and slid within the guides 198 to align, support and separate thecircuit trays 182 retained within the distribution module 46. Moreover,the circuit tray side rail fins 202 slidingly engage the circuit trayguides 198 such that each circuit tray 182 can be transitioned betweenthe stowed, or parked, position and the deployed, or extended, positionto provide independent access to any one of the optic fiber circuitsretained in each circuit tray 182.

In various other embodiments, the circuit tray guides 198 can compriseany other suitable mechanism for slidingly engaging the circuit trayside rails 188 with the distribution module first and second side walls162 and 170. For example, the circuit tray guides 198 can be L-bracketsattached to and extending depth-wise along the distribution module firstand second walls 162 and 170, whereby circuit tray side rail fins 202set on top of and slidingly engage the L-brackets. Or, the circuit trayguides 198 can be channels formed in and extending depth-wise along thedistribution module first and second walls 162 and 170, wherein the fins202 would ride within and slidingly engage the channels. Additionally,although the circuit tray side rail fins 202 are illustrated aslongitudinally extending the length of the circuit tray side rails 188,the fins 202 can comprise separate fore and aft fins along each siderail 188 or fore and aft pins or posts extending orthogonally from eachside rail 188.

In various embodiments, each circuit tray 182 includes a latchingmechanism 206 extending from the circuit tray side rail 188 adjacent thedistribution module side strut 174, hereinafter referred to as thelatch-side side rail 188. The latching mechanism 206 of each circuittray 188 is structured to retain the respective circuit tray 182 in thestowed position and in the deployed position. The latching mechanism 206of each circuit tray 182 comprises a spring lever 208, e.g., a springmetal lever, attached to a latch-side side rail 188 of the respectivecircuit tray 182. Each spring lever 208 includes a tongue 210 that isbiased by the spring lever 208 to interlock with one of a plurality ofstowed position receptors 214, e.g., perforations, apertures orindentions, in the side strut 174, when the respective circuit tray isin the stowed position. Therefore, each circuit tray 182 can be securelyheld in the stowed, or parked, position. Similarly, each spring levertongue 210 is biased by the spring lever 208 to interlock with one of aplurality of deployed position receptors 218, e.g., perforations,apertures or indentions, in the side strut 174, when the respective trayis in the deployed position. Therefore, each circuit tray 182 can besecurely held in the deployed, or extended, position to allow thetechnician access to each connection circuit in the respective circuittray 182.

To transition any circuit tray 182 from the stowed position to thedeployed position, and vice versa, the technician merely applies forceto the respective latch mechanism spring lever 208 to move the tongue210 out of the respective stowed or deployed receptor 214 or 218. Thecircuit tray 182 can then be slid along the circuit tray guides 198, asdescribed above, to the desired deployed or stowed position. Once thecircuit tray 182 is in the desired deployed or stowed position, theforce to the spring lever 208 is released and the biasing properties ofthe spring lever 208 will force the tongue 210 into the respectivedeployed or stowed receptor 218 or 214, locking the circuit tray 182 inthe desired deployed or stowed position.

Additionally, in various embodiments, each circuit tray includes a latchassist handle 222 extending from the latch-side side rail 188, adjacentthe spring lever 208. The latch assist handle 222 is structured toassist in operation of the respective latching mechanism 206 and toassist in transitioning the respective circuit tray 182 between thestowed and deployed positions. Particularly, a technician can utilizethe latch assist handle to squeeze, or pull, the spring lever 208 awayfrom the side strut 174 to disengage the spring lever tongue 210 fromthe associated stowed or deployed receptor 214 or 218. The techniciancan then use the latch assist handle 222 to assist in pulling or pushingthe respective circuit tray 182 to the desired deployed or stowedposition.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 7, in various embodiments, eachcircuit tray 182 includes a fiber retention handle 226 extending fromthe circuit tray side rail 188 nearest the splitter rack 34, hereinafterreferred to as the splitter-side side rail 188. The fiber retentionhandle 226 is also structured to assist in transitioning the respectivecircuit tray 182 between the stowed and deployed positions, as atechnician can grasp the fiber retention handle 226 to pull or push therespective circuit tray 182 to the desired deployed or stowed position.Additionally, in various forms, each fiber retention handle 226 includesa fiber retention finger 230 at a distal end of the respective fiberretention handle 226. The fiber retention finger 230 is generally aU-shaped channel, trough or hook at the distal end of the respectivefiber retention handle 226. Each fiber retention finger 230 isstructured to hold, or retain, the optic fibers of the output jumpers 66connected to the connection adapters 186 of the respective circuit tray182. More particularly, each fiber retention FIG. 230 holds the outputjumper fibers to the respective circuit tray 182 to avoid interferenceand/or tangling with the output jumper fibers to adjacent circuit trays182 as the respective circuit tray 182 is transitioned between thestowed and deployed positions.

Referring now to FIG. 9, as described above, in various embodiments, thedistribution hub 10 includes a distribution jumper incremental slacklimiting fiber management system 42, i.e., the slack limiting system 42.As also described above, the slack limiting system 42 is utilized toorganize the feeder pigtails 54 and the output jumpers 66 by reducingslack associated optic fibers of the feeder pigtails 54 and outputjumpers 66, i.e., organizing the unutilized length or portions of therespective feeder pigtails 54 and the output jumpers 66. Generally, theslack limiting system 42 includes a plurality of slack limiting spools234 around which the optic fibers of the respective feeder pigtails 54and output jumpers 66 can be routed, or threaded, to take up any slackthat may exist in the respective feeder pigtails 54 and output jumpers66. The slack limiting spools 234 strategically located on thesplitter-side internal panel 26 such that the slack of effectively anylength feeder pigtail 54 or output jumper 66 can be routed through theslack limiting system, i.e., around one or more slack limiting spools234, to reduce the slack in the respective feeder pigtails 54 and outputjumpers 66. More particularly, the slack of any feeder pigtail 54 oroutput jumper 66 can be reduced, via the slack limiting system 42,without bending the respective feeder pigtails 54 or output jumpers 66beyond the specified minimum radius of curvature of the optic fibers ofthe feeder pigtails 54 or output jumpers 66.

In various embodiments, the slack limiting system 42 includes aplurality of slack limiting spools 234 mounted to the splitter-sideinternal panel 26 in a substantially vertical, i.e., a Y direction,arrangement along opposing sides of the splitter rack 34, identified andreferred to herein as the splitter module cage slack limiting spools234A. Additionally, the slack limiting system 42 includes a plurality ofslack limiting spools 234 mounted in a substantially vertical, i.e., a Ydirection, arrangement along a side portion of the splitter-sideinternal panel 26 that is adjacent the distribution module 46, e.g.,along a top portion of the corner post 166. These slack limiting spools234 are identified and referred to herein as the side slack limitingspools 234B. Additionally, in various embodiments, the slack limitingsystem 42 can include a plurality of slack limiting spools 234 mountedin a substantially vertical, i.e., a Y direction, arrangement along anintermediate, or center, portion of the splitter-side internal panel 26.These slack limiting spools 234 are identified and referred to herein asthe intermediate slack limiting spools 234C.

Furthermore, in various embodiments, the slack limiting system 42 caninclude a plurality of slack limiting spools 234 mounted in asubstantially horizontal, i.e., a X direction, arrangement along abottom portion of the splitter-side internal panel 26. These slacklimiting spools 234 are identified and referred to herein as the bottomslack limiting spools 234D. Further yet, in various embodiments, theslack limiting system 42 can include a plurality of slack limitingspools 234 mounted in a substantially vertical, i.e., a Y direction,arrangement along at least one side of the jumper park bay 38. Theseslack limiting spools 234 are identified and referred to herein as thepark bay slack limiting spools 234E. Although the slack limiting spools234 are illustrated as half spools, the slack limiting spools 234 couldbe whole spools or any other rod, cylinder, bobbin post or appendagesuitable to route the feeder pigtails 54 and output jumpers 66 to reducethe slack without bending the respective feeder pigtails 54 and outputjumpers 66 beyond the specified minimum radius of curvature of the opticfibers of the feeder pigtails 54 or output jumpers 66.

The description herein is merely exemplary in nature and, thus,variations that do not depart from the gist of that which is describedare intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Such variationsare not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theteachings.

1. An incremental slack limiting fiber management system for reducingslack in at least one jumper fiber extending between an optic splittermodule and a distribution module within a fiber optic distribution hub,said system comprising a plurality of slack limiting spools mounted toan internal panel of the distribution hub between the splitter and thedistribution module.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the slacklimiting spools comprise a plurality of splitter module rack slacklimiting spools mounted to the internal panel in a substantiallyvertical arrangement along opposing sides of a splitter module rack. 3.The system of claim 1, wherein the slack limiting spools comprise atleast one of: a plurality of splitter module rack slack limiting spoolsmounted to the internal panel in a substantially vertical arrangementalong opposing sides of a splitter module rack; and a plurality ofintermediate slack limiting spools mounted to the internal panel in asubstantially vertical arrangement at a center portion of the internalpanel.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the slack limiting spoolscomprise at least one of: a plurality of splitter module rack slacklimiting spools mounted to the internal panel in a substantiallyvertical arrangement along opposing sides of a splitter module rack; aplurality of intermediate slack limiting spools mounted to the internalpanel in a substantially vertical arrangement at a center portion of theinternal panel; and a plurality of side slack limiting spools mounted tothe internal panel in a substantially vertical arrangement along adistribution module side portion of the internal panel.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the slack limiting spools comprise at least one of: aplurality of splitter module rack slack limiting spools mounted to theinternal panel in a substantially vertical arrangement along opposingsides of a splitter module rack; a plurality of intermediate slacklimiting spools mounted to the internal panel in a substantiallyvertical arrangement at a center portion of the internal panel; aplurality of side slack limiting spools mounted to the internal panel ina substantially vertical arrangement along a distribution module sideportion of the internal panel; and a plurality of bottom slack limitingspools mounted to the internal panel in a substantially horizontalarrangement along a bottom portion of the internal panel.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein the slack limiting spools comprise at least one of:a plurality of splitter module rack slack limiting spools mounted to theinternal panel in a substantially vertical arrangement along opposingsides of a splitter module rack; a plurality of intermediate slacklimiting spools mounted to the internal panel in a substantiallyvertical arrangement at a center portion of the internal panel; aplurality of side slack limiting spools mounted to the internal panel ina substantially vertical arrangement along a distribution module sideportion of the internal panel; a plurality of bottom slack limitingspools mounted to the internal panel in a substantially horizontalarrangement along a bottom portion of the internal panel; and aplurality of park bay slack limiting spools mounted to the internalpanel in a substantially vertical arrangement along at least one side ofa jumper park bay.
 7. A method for limiting slack in at least one opticfiber extending between an optic splitter module and a distributionmodule within a fiber optic distribution hub, said method comprisingnon-linearly routing the at least one fiber around at least one of aplurality of slack limiting spools mounted to an internal panel of thedistribution hub.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein non-linearly routingthe at least one fiber comprises routing the at least one fiber aroundat least one of a plurality of splitter module rack slack limitingspools mounted to the internal panel in a substantially verticalarrangement along opposing sides of a splitter module rack.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, wherein non-linearly routing the at least one fibercomprises at least one of: routing the at least one fiber around atleast one of a plurality of splitter module rack slack limiting spoolsmounted to the internal panel in a substantially vertical arrangementalong opposing sides of a splitter module rack; and routing the at leastone fiber around at least one of a plurality of intermediate slacklimiting spools mounted to the internal panel in a substantiallyvertical arrangement at a center portion of the internal panel.
 10. Themethod of claim 7, wherein non-linearly routing the at least one fibercomprises at least one of: routing the at least one fiber around atleast one of a plurality of splitter module rack slack limiting spoolsmounted to the internal panel in a substantially vertical arrangementalong opposing sides of a splitter module rack; routing the at least onefiber around at least one of a plurality of intermediate slack limitingspools mounted to the internal panel in a substantially verticalarrangement at a center portion of the internal panel; and routing theat least one fiber around at least one of a plurality of side slacklimiting spools mounted to the internal panel in a substantiallyvertical arrangement along a distribution module side portion of theinternal panel.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein non-linearly routingthe at least one fiber comprises at least one of: routing the at leastone fiber around at least one of a plurality of splitter module rackslack limiting spools mounted to the internal panel in a substantiallyvertical arrangement along opposing sides of a splitter module rack;routing the at least one fiber around at least one of a plurality ofintermediate slack limiting spools mounted to the internal panel in asubstantially vertical arrangement at a center portion of the internalpanel; routing the at least one fiber around at least one of a pluralityof side slack limiting spools mounted to the internal panel in asubstantially vertical arrangement along a distribution module sideportion of the internal panel; and routing the at least one fiber aroundat least one of a plurality of bottom slack limiting spools mounted tothe internal panel in a substantially horizontal arrangement along abottom portion of the internal panel.
 12. The method of claim 7, whereinnon-linearly routing the at least one fiber comprises at least one of:routing the at least one fiber around at least one of a plurality ofsplitter module rack slack limiting spools mounted to the internal panelin a substantially vertical arrangement along opposing sides of asplitter module rack; routing the at least one fiber around at least oneof a plurality of intermediate slack limiting spools mounted to theinternal panel in a substantially vertical arrangement at a centerportion of the internal panel; routing the at least one fiber around atleast one of a plurality of side slack limiting spools mounted to theinternal panel in a substantially vertical arrangement along adistribution module side portion of the internal panel; routing the atleast one fiber around at least one of a plurality of bottom slacklimiting spools mounted to the internal panel in a substantiallyhorizontal arrangement along a bottom portion of the internal panel; androuting the at least one fiber around at least one of a plurality ofpark bay slack limiting spools mounted to the internal panel in asubstantially vertical arrangement along at least one side of a jumperpark bay.
 13. A method for limiting slack in at least one optic fiberextending between an optic splitter module and a distribution modulewithin a fiber optic distribution hub, said method comprisingnon-linearly routing the at least one fiber around at least one of aplurality of splitter module rack slack limiting spools mounted to theinternal panel in a substantially vertical arrangement along opposingsides of a splitter module rack, around at least one of a plurality ofintermediate slack limiting spools mounted to the internal panel in asubstantially vertical arrangement at a center portion of the internalpanel, and around at least one of a plurality of side slack limitingspools mounted to the internal panel in a substantially verticalarrangement along a distribution module side portion of the internalpanel.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising non-linearlyrouting the at least one fiber around at least one of a plurality ofbottom slack limiting spools mounted to the internal panel in asubstantially horizontal arrangement along a bottom portion of theinternal panel.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein further comprisingnon-linearly routing the at least one fiber around at least one of aplurality of park bay slack limiting spools mounted to the internalpanel in a substantially vertical arrangement along at least one side ofa jumper park bay.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein furthercomprising non-linearly routing the at least one fiber around at leastone fiber around at least one of a plurality of bottom slack limitingspools mounted to the internal panel in a substantially horizontalarrangement along a bottom portion of the internal panel; and around atleast one of a plurality of park bay slack limiting spools mounted tothe internal panel in a substantially vertical arrangement along atleast one side of a jumper park bay.